Zika vaccine by year-end: Scientists

“Canadian scientist Gary Kobinger, part of a consortium working on the vaccine, told Reuters in an interview that the first stage of testing on humans could begin as early as August. If successful, that may allow the vaccine to be used during a public health emergency, in October or November. Work on Zika vaccine is progressing very slowly in other countries including USA. 

There is no proven vaccine or treatment for Zika, the mosquito-transmitted virus a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya, which causes mild fever and rash. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. 

The International Olympic Committee will issue an advisory note this week following the outbreak of the Zika virus which is spreading rapidly across South America months before the Rio de Janeiro Games in August. IOC President Thomas Bach said that guidelines would be sent to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as Rio prepares to host the world’s biggest sporting event and the first Olympics on South American soil.    

“We will do everything to ensure the health of the athletes and all the visitors,” Bach told reporters during a visit to the Greek capital.  “We are in close contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as with the organising committee and the Brazilian authorities.”   

Rio 2016 Games organisers said in a statement that the Olympics, which take place from August 5-21, are during the winter months when the “dryer, cooler climate significantly reduces the presence of mosquitoes”. They added that a meeting was set to take place at the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne from February 1-2 for NOCs to discuss the matter.  

“The Olympic and Paralympic venues will be inspected on a daily basis during the Rio 2016 Games to ensure there are no puddles of stagnant water and therefore minimise the risk of coming into contact with mosquitoes,” organisers said.